I want to become an apprentice

Apprentice with employer in workplace

Your Apprenticeship - Your Future

Get your career off the ground with an Apprenticeship

If you’re looking for an exciting opportunity to combine gaining a nationally recognised qualification, earning a wage with on-the-job training, then an Apprenticeship could be for you!

Popular with employers, Apprenticeships have been around for hundreds of years. Even famous people including the chef Jamie Oliver, Formula One engineer Ross Brawn and designer Stella McCartney all started their careers as apprentices. Could you be next?

We work with businesses across Dorset and the surrounding areas to deliver over 30 different Apprenticeships. Our apprentices are successful with 96% of them gaining employment or staying with their Apprenticeship employer, making us the best place for your Apprenticeship. Not bad!

Plus with a wide range of Apprenticeship vacancies, we already have employers who want to recruit people just like you.

What you need to know about Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Essentially, it's a job with training and a qualification. So you'll earn a wage, develop your skills, add to your CV and experience and take a step up the career ladder.

Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete (seven years at Degree and Masters Level) and cover a huge range of industries from traditional trades such as carpentry and beauty, to emerging roles in digital marketing and cyber security.

You will work for a minimum of 30 hours per week and also study - usually day release in college - where you'll be with other apprentices and enjoying college facilities and activities.

There are four types of Apprenticeship available and we'll give you guidance on what suits you:

  • Intermediate at Level 2
  • Advanced at Level 3
  • Higher at Level 4+
  • Degree at Level 6+
Why become an apprentice?

There are heaps of benefits to becoming an apprentice, not least that you’ll be learning and earning a wage. You will also be:

  • Gaining new qualifications
  • Receiving industry standard training
  • Developing new knowledge and job specific skills
  • Getting real work experience
  • Meeting new people and developing new opportunities
  • Starting on a career path
  • Building up your CV
How much will you earn?
The great thing about Apprenticeships is that you earn a wage. As a 16-18 year old, or if you’re aged 19 and over and in your first year of an Apprenticeship, you can expect to earn the apprentice rate. After that the National Minimum Wage applies. However many employers pay more than this, especially if the Apprenticeship is Advanced or Higher.
 
You will have lots of support as an apprentice at The College including financial, emotional and welfare, careers advice and learning support.
 
In addition you will also have a personal Apprenticeship Coordinator who will work with you to create an Individual Learning Plan. They will help you to stay on track while working with your employer to make sure your training offers the skills you need for the job and meets the national standards.
 
Getting you work ready

Applying for an Apprenticeship can seem daunting, but it shouldn’t be as we’re here to help.

Before your Apprenticeship

When you apply for an Apprenticeship, our friendly team will be on hand to help you with interview techniques and CV preparation. They can even help with mock interviews, so you know when you meet an employer, you can be confident with your interview skills and techniques.

During and after your Apprenticeship

But what about when you finish your Apprenticeship? Getting a qualification is a great achievement, but it’s only part of the story. That’s why we believe in giving you the edge at work.

During your Apprenticeship, we will help you to develop the skills to get a job. Whether that’s through our online Career Path – designed to give you an insight into your chosen career or even through The BASE our in-house Apprenticeship service – to help with your job search.

The vast majority of our apprentices secure jobs with their Apprenticeship employer. However even if you find yourself applying for jobs after your Apprenticeship has finished, you can be sure that you will be fully equipped to be at the front of the queue for many employers.

Get in touch
Question about Apprenticeships? Get in touch today on 01202 205500 or email apprenticeships@bpc.ac.uk
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Everything You Need to Know About Apprenticeships